Renner Dec 2018

We have also enjoyed being able to help facilitate many changes in the physical footprint of the Malawi Village, from muddy to improved roads, paved walkways, the new RICE (Rafiki Institute of Classical Education) building, new senior secondary school, new equipment storage and work area, and a helpful kitchen storage area. We have increased the Village gardens, both to provide opportunity for the children to learn to grow their own food, as well as help feed our Village. We planted large banana, coffee, and fruit tree orchards, and built a system to reclaim grey water from the kitchen and laundry to keep the trees growing and healthy during the dry season.

Because of our own personal life and work experience, we were able to help the Village cope with grief and loss when one of the children died, and successfully navigate through some other serious medical emergencies. We have tried our best to wear all the hats necessary to keep the Village running smoothly including Village Administrator, Plant Manager, Finance Manager, Headmaster, Child Care Administrator, Health Manager, RICE Art teacher, RIM (Rafiki Institute of Music) Dean, Genesis Design Teacher in the Junior Secondary School, and a brief but enjoyable stint as RICE Dean.

As we said tearful goodbyes to the children and staff we reminded them of Jeremiah 29:11. We know that this was always part of God’s plan for all of us and that HE will work it out for GOOD.

We want to express our heartfelt thanks to all of you for your sacrificial giving to support the work in Malawi. We were never without the funds we needed to continue, and your prayers sustained and helped us get through many difficulties and spiritual battles. You may now want to consider switching your giving to the sponsorship of a Malawi child. We ask those of you who have already sponsored children to please continue.

What can you be praying in this situation? Please pray for the Malawi children to quickly and easily adjust to new staff and new ways of doing things. For example, none of the current staff has ever been there for a Rafiki Malawi Christmas, so the familiar holiday traditions may no longer be possible.

Please pray for us, that we can make the transition back to life in America without too much difficulty. Pray that we can get through this time of change, and that everything we do and say will bring honor and glory to God whom we treasure above all else.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

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